n 1  :  a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C₆H₅OH present in coal tar and wood tar that is used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals (as aspirin) and as a topical anesthetic in dilute solution - called also carbolic , carbolic acid , hydroxybenzene   2  :  any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons .
 
    
 
Similar sounding terms:  fen·nel  fun·nel  phe·nyl  va·nil·la 
 
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